‘Could cause chaos in the workplace’

The government’s proposed labour amendments could lead to chaos in the workplace with people expected to be made permanent staff and paid the same, irrespective of their experience, said Lee Botti, MD of Lee Botti and Associates. She said temporary employment provided work of a seasonal nature and suited many – from matriculants and collegeleavers to housewives and the unemployed. “It allows them, in each case, to learn another skill or IT system and increases their confidence to eventually negotiate a position to which they aspire,” she said. Botti said the proposed remuneration clause that employees receive equal pay and equal benefits from the start of their employment would create havoc among those who have five years, 10 years or 20 years of experience doing the same job. “How can their value be the same?” Referring to the Employment Services Bill requirement of reporting of vacancies and filling of positions, she said for a small business employing 20 staff this would lead to bureaucracy. “There would be too much administration to report all vacancies and reasons why candidates were not successful. This would hamper our success in focusing on our core business to provide staff to our industry,” she said.